Fantasy Coinage Review

Printed “play money” may be good for Monopoly, but there is nothing quite like the feeling of cold hard coin in one’s hand. Until Fantasy Coin HQ, people had very limited options in where to find pretend cash to accessorize their games or cosplay costuming. While tokens from arcades or scrounging some foreign coins somewhat filled the gap, these fantasy coins bring imagination into the real world.

The quality of the fantasy coins is superb. Each coin is made of zinc (much like actual coins today) and plated with nickel to give them their color and a proper texture. An antiquing finish makes them look well used, as if they just came out of a purse in the marketplace. Because they are made of metal instead of typical plastic play money, the coins not only feel right but they sound fantastic. Bags of coins will jingle as a bag of money should. The coins click when stacked and clang when struck. They are made in sizes comparable to larger American coins like the quarter and half-dollar, but these coins are much thicker, even heavy, as one would imagine a coin in a Dark Age would be.

The first set of coins, dubbed the “Fire Set”, is available for purchase online. As with many fantasy settings, the coins come in copper, silver, and gold pieces of increasing “value.” They are marked with images and runes worthy of a fantasy realm and make perfect additions to gaming tables or for live-action role-players. Outside of gameplay, the coins are excellent for costuming, adding legitimate weight and the crinkling sound of coins to a fantasy outfit’s moneybag. The art incorporated into each coin gives style and details that will impress any collector.

Rather than limiting themselves to a single line of coins, Fantasy Coin has launched a Kickstarter project as of March 18 that includes 15 different editions. Some of the coins continue the elemental fantasy line following the dragons of the Fire Set. The Water Set features mermen, the Earth Set is druidic, the Air Set has flying creatures, and the Magic Set is something else altogether. Other lines emulate ancient coins, such as those of Egypt, Greece, Rome, or Japan, whose elongated coins stand out. More sets turn back to the fantasy realm, giving a physical connection to Dwarves with nine-sided coins, delicate Elfin designs, and Barbarian coins with pointed edges. To ensure there is something for everyone, Fantasy Coin even has sets for pirates, steampunks, and Sci-Fi featuring designs like circuitry.

Pricing on the coins is fairly reasonable at $15 for a set of 30 with 10 of each style of coin. As a bonus for the Kickstart, Fantasy Coin is offering additional sets at a cheaper rate for those who want to build their horde early. As the coin sets continue to grow, accessories like a medieval drawstring bag or an 8-bit necklace are showing just how far fantasy can go in becoming reality.